Ghazal 1

From the Divan of Hafez · 7 couplets

The Oracle Speaks

...

O cupbearer, pass around the cup and offer it,

for love seemed easy at first, but then troubles arose.

Drawn by the fragrance of musk that the morning breeze

would release from those curls — what blood fell upon our hearts!

What peace can I find at the beloved’s dwelling, when every moment

the camel bell cries out: bind up the loads and go!

Stain your prayer rug with wine if the Magian elder tells you,

for the traveler knows well the customs of each waystation.

A dark night, the dread of waves, and such a fearsome whirlpool —

how can those light-burdened on the shore know our condition?

All my affairs, from self-indulgence, led at last to ill repute —

how can that secret stay hidden from which gatherings are made?

If you desire the Presence, do not absent yourself, O Hafez:

when you meet the one you love, abandon the world and let it go.

اَلا یا اَیُّهَا السّاقی اَدِرْ کَأسَاً و ناوِلْها

که عشق آسان نمود اوّل ولی افتاد مشکل‌ها

به بویِ نافه‌ای کآخِر صبا زان طُرّه بُگشاید

ز تابِ جَعدِ مشکینش چه خون افتاد در دل‌ها

مرا در منزلِ جانان چه امنِ عیش، چون هر دَم

جَرَس فریاد می‌دارد که بَربندید مَحمِل‌ها

به مِی سجّاده رنگین کُن گَرَت پیرِ مُغان گوید

که سالِک بی‌خبر نَبْوَد ز راه و رسمِ منزل‌ها

شبِ تاریک و بیمِ موج و گِردابی چنین هایل

کجا دانند حالِ ما سبک‌بارانِ ساحل‌ها؟

همهْ کارم ز خودکامی به بدنامی کشید آخر

نهان کِی مانَد آن رازی کَزو سازند مَحفل‌ها؟

حضوری گر همی خواهی از او غایب مشو حافظ

مَتیٰ ما تَلْقَ مَنْ تَهْویٰ دَعِ الدُّنْیا وَ اَهْمِلْها

Source: Ganjoor.net

Reflect on This Poem

If this ghazal appeared as your reading today, consider:

  • Which line stirred something in you — comfort, longing, or unease?
  • What question were you holding when you arrived at this page?
  • What is this poem asking you to release or embrace?

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